U.S. patent number 4,245,442 [Application Number 06/058,858] was granted by the patent office on 1981-01-20 for reusable interior wall and ceiling construction system for buildings.
Invention is credited to I. Milt Durham.
United States Patent |
4,245,442 |
Durham |
January 20, 1981 |
Reusable interior wall and ceiling construction system for
buildings
Abstract
An object of the present invention is to provide a reusable
modular interior wall and ceiling construction system for
buildings. The system utilizes a modular wall panel unit formed by
a rectangular frame having a peripheral surface forming a central
recess and a pair of securing slots. Decorative panels are
releasably held to the frame by magnetic means. An adjustable base
supports the wall panels and provides hollow runs for concealing
wiring for power and communication purposes. The panel slots and
central recess provide for securing with adjacent panel units as
well as providing a means for connecting the modular ceiling
support members. The ceiling support members may also serve as
ducting for heating and cooling as well as passageways for
wiring.
Inventors: |
Durham; I. Milt (Houston,
TX) |
Family
ID: |
22019329 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/058,858 |
Filed: |
July 19, 1979 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/126.4; 52/241;
52/DIG.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B
9/064 (20130101); E04B 2/821 (20130101); E04B
9/30 (20130101); E04B 9/008 (20130101); E04B
2/7455 (20130101); E04B 2/7818 (20130101); E04B
2002/7468 (20130101); Y10S 52/04 (20130101); E04B
2002/749 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E04B
9/00 (20060101); E04B 2/82 (20060101); E04B
2/74 (20060101); E04B 2/76 (20060101); E04B
9/06 (20060101); E04B 2/78 (20060101); E04B
002/78 () |
Field of
Search: |
;52/122,238,241,242,239,481 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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|
|
|
|
244548 |
|
Jan 1966 |
|
AT |
|
2113862 |
|
Jul 1972 |
|
DE |
|
2644559 |
|
Jul 1977 |
|
DE |
|
Primary Examiner: Murtagh; John E.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Pravel, Gambrell, Hewitt, Kirk,
Kimball & Dodge
Claims
I claim:
1. A reusable modular wall panel unit apparatus adapted to connect
to adjacent modular wall panel units to form an interior wall,
including:
a hollow rectangular metal frame having a horizontal bottom frame
member and a pair of upstanding vertical side members, one of said
upstanding side members connected to one end of said bottom frame
member and the other of said upstanding side members to the other
end of said bottom frame member, said frame having a horizontal
upper frame member connected at one end to one of said upstanding
members and with the other end of said upper member connected to
the other of said upstanding members;
said bottom member and said top member along with said upstanding
side members defining an outer peripheral rim of the modular wall
panel unit;
a plurality of internal support members disposed in parallel
relationship with said upstanding side members, each of said
plurality of internal support members having one end connected to
said bottom member and the other end connected to said top
member;
support projections mounted on said bottom, top and two upstanding
members and extending outwardly on both sides of said peripheral
edge for providing a support for a panel disposed on each side of
said metal frame; and
said peripheral rim having a central recess and having a first slot
formed parallel to and on a first side of said central recess and a
second slot formed parallel to and on the other side of said
central recess;
support means for said metal frame having a floor engaging member
and a mounting member having a pair of upwardly extending parallel
projections that are received within said slots on said bottom
frame member, said support means having means for connecting said
floor engaging member and said mounting member to adjustably
position said wall panel unit relative to the floor; and
means for releasably connecting said horizontal upper frame member
with a modular suspended ceiling for supporting said modular wall
panel unit apparatus perpendicular to the floor.
2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for
releasably connecting includes:
an elongated connector having a pair of webs adapted to be received
partially within said first and said second slot of said portion of
said peripheral rim formed by said horizontal upper frame member,
said webs extending upwardly from peripheral rim for attaching to
said ceiling.
3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein:
said means for connecting said floor engaging member and said
mounting member including a helical screw and a screw engaging
member, said screw engaging member adjustable on said helical screw
for positioning said wall panel unit relative to the floor.
4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein:
said means for connecting said floor engaging member and said
mounting member including a second helical screw and a second screw
engaging member, said second screw engaging member adjustable on
said second helical screw for cooperating with said first mentioned
helical screw and screw engaging member for positioning said wall
panel unit relative to the floor.
5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, including:
magnetic means for holding said panels on said frame of said
apparatus.
Description
DESCRIPTION
1. Technical Field
This invention relates to reusable interior wall and ceiling
construction systems for buildings and particularly for buildings
having a uniform interior grid system.
Reusable interior wall and ceiling systems which enable flexible
rearrangement of building interior work areas to permit their most
efficient use are known. Such systems are relatively inexpensive to
relocate as the ceiling and wall components can be reused and need
not be entirely replaced when repositioned.
2. Background Art
Most multi-story office buildings have their interior wall and
ceiling system arranged on a uniform interior grid system. While
this is extremely helpful in arranging the air ducting and lighting
above the hanging ceiling, such interior wall and ceiling systems
have not been fully reusable. A readily accepted wall system is to
use steel or metal "studs" to which dry wall or sheetrock is
secured by suitable means such as bolting and them "floated" which
is a time consuming process. When it becomes desirable to change
the location of the wall, it is more economical to destroy the
existing wall and build an entirely new wall out of new "studs" and
sheetrock rather than attempt to move the wall. Of course the
requirement for new materials increases the cost of any wall
relocation project, since the construction materials are not
reusable. Such method also requires that wiring be run when the
walls are partially complete which further increases construction
time.
Most buildings employ a hanging or suspended ceiling which utilizes
a modular grid of support members. Generally the modular grid
members are disposed below the air ducting to shield it from view
while both lighting fixtures and reusable ceiling panels are
supported on the modular grid. The ceiling modular grid system is
normally independent of the wall system with the ceiling merely
suspended closely above the walls.
Reusable panel interior wall and ceiling systems are known. In
general, they are extremely expensive initially and their
appearance is frequently unattractive. Often in rearranging a
working area a wall or ceiling modular unit is damaged and must be
discarded at substantial cost. The interconnecting arrangements of
the reusable system are often complex which requires a great deal
of care and time during disassembly and reassembly. Despite such
drawbacks, such reusable systems are desirable for the flexibility
they provide in rearranging working areas for maximum efficiency.
Such prior reusable interior wall and ceiling systems have also
generally failed to provide for simplified revisions of the air
ducting as well as the electrical and communication wiring during
rearranging.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
A modular interior wall and ceiling system that may be easily
erected, disassembled when desired, and quickly erected again in a
desired pattern. The wall panel units have a hollow frame to which
decorative wall panels are removably secured to provide access for
wiring and ducting with the panel units. The hollow frame forms a
peripheral edge having a central recess and a pair of slots formed
on either side of the recess which serves as a support and securing
means for the panel unit and enables rapid assembly and disassembly
of the system. The panel sections may be treated with a wide range
of covering to provide any desired appearance. An adjustable panel
support unit engages the floor and provides means for leveling the
panel to compensate for variations and smoothness of the floor.
Connecting members that mount in the slots on either side of the
central recess formed on the peripheral edge are used for mounting
with the floor engaging members as well as providing a means for
connecting with the hanging modular ceiling. The slots also provide
connecting means for securing the panel with adjacent panels or
other modular structures for securing the panel in the desired
location. Disposable trim strips are provided to shield the panel
connecting system from view to provide a desired appearance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side view, in section, of the upper portion of the
modular wall panel unit apparatus of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a side view, in section, of the lower portion of the
modular wall panel unit apparatus of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a side view, similar to FIG. 1, of another embodiment of
the modular ceiling apparatus illustrating the air ducting
arrangement of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a top view, in section, illustrating the connection
between the reusable modular wall panel unit apparatus of the
present invention and a transparent panel modular wall unit;
FIG. 5 is a top view, in section, illustrating a right angle
connection of the modular wall panel unit apparatus of the present
invention;
FIG. 6 is a side view, in section, illustrating the top or ceiling
connection of a thin transparent modular panel;
FIG. 7 is a top view, in section, illustrating the mounting of the
vertical side edge of the thin transparent panel member with the
modular wall panel unit apparatus;
FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-section of the modular wall panel unit
apparatus providing a door jamb for connection wih the side edge of
the thin transparent panel member;
FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 illustrating a door jamb mounted
with the modular wall panel unit apparatus of the present
invention;
FIG. 10 is a top view, in section, of a thin transparent member
secured at right angles to the modular wall panel unit
apparatus;
FIG. 11 is a vertical view, in section, illustrating the modular
connection of a pair of thin transparent panel members by the
modular wall apparatus;
FIG. 12 is a side view, in section, of a base assembly supporting a
thin transparent panel member; and
FIG. 13 is a vertical view, in section, illustrating the side
connection of the modular wall panel unit apparatus of the present
invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The reusable modular wall and ceiling construction of the present
invention is generally designated A in FIGS. 1 and 2. Such
construction A rests upon a substantially flat or horizontal
building floor F while the modular ceiling construction, generally
designated C in FIG. 1, is suspended by suitable means such as a
chain or wire W from the floor or structure immediately above.
Such modular systems are based upon repeating a selected dimension,
usually four or five feet (1.2 meters or 1.5 meters, respectively).
The rod or striplike ceiling supports are disposed upon such
dimensions and ceiling panels are normally supported upon such
supports for providing a false ceiling that is normally disposed
below the unsightly air ducting and electrical and communication
wiring. Normally, the wall panel units also follow such modular
dimension, but in some construction there is no correlation between
the ceiling modular layout and the modular walls. In such
instances, however, the wall panel units must be self-supporting as
they are not connected with the ceiling grid unit.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the ceiling grid is formed by a plurality
of right angle intersecting elongated ceiling support members 10
which are preferably formed of extruded aluminum. The ceiling
support member 10 is formed of a pair of spaced webs or flanges 10a
and 10b that are mirror images of each other and which are
connected or joined by spaced bracing portions (not illustrated).
The wire W is attached to a hook 12 secured to a ceiling support
attachment member 14 that is clipped or secured to the elongated
ceiling support member 10. The flanges 10a and 10b are sufficiently
flexible to enable lugs 14a and 14b of the support member 14 to
releasably engage the elongated member 10 and are sufficiently
flexible to enable their removal without damage to either the
support member 14 or the elongated ceiling member 10 when it is
desired to change the ceiling arrangement.
The elongated ceiling support member 10 is provided with ceiling
panel attachment lugs 10c and 10d which are resiliently engaged by
clips 16 and 18, respectively, which are secured to the enclosed
ceiling panels 20 and 22, respectively. As the ceiling panels are
laid out on the preselected modular distance, the panels 20 and 22
are usually square, but may be rectangular without departing from
the scope of the invention. Screws 24 and 26 may be used to attach
the clips 16 and 18 to the panels 20 and 22, respectively, but
other means of attachment may be equally well suited for use. The
ceiling panels 20 and 22 may be wrapped with a suitable fabric 20a
and 22a to provide any desired visual appearance and for providing
additional sound deadening insulation.
The lower portion of the modular wall panel construction including
the wall panel support base is illustrated in FIG. 2. An extruded
ground engaging member 30 has movably mounted thereon an upstanding
carrier member 32. The carrier member 32 is provided with threads
(not illustrated) engaging the threads of a helical bolt 34 in the
usual manner in order that rotation of the bolt 34 relative to the
carrier 32 will move the carrier 32 upwardly or downwardly relative
to the ground engaging member 30 as is well known to those skilled
in the art. Preferably, a plurality of such adjustment bolts 34 are
carried on the elongated extruded carrier member 32 to relatively
position it to the floor F and the ground engaging member 30 to
ensure that the wall panel units are level and to compensate for
variations in flatness or smoothness of the floor F. The upwardly
extending lugs 30a and 30b of the ground engaging member 30 guide
the vertical movement of the carrier member 32 in response to the
rotation of the bolt 34.
The carrier member 32 is provided with upwardly projecting flanges
32a and 32b which also provide support for the wall panel unit P.
Disposed between the upwardly projecting flanges 32a and 32b is an
extruded H-shaped cross-section mounting member 36 which has
downwardly extending flanges 36a and 36b which extend into the
carrying member 32 for securing the mounting member 36 in position.
The area between the downwardly projecting lugs 36a and 36b
provides a tunnel or path for the running or installation of
electrical and communication wires. In this regard a window 40 is
formed in one of the plurality of stiffener sections of the carrier
member 32 for each of installation. The mounting member 36 is
provided with a pair of upwardly extending flanges 36c and 36d
which are received within spaced recesses on the wall panel unit P
as will be described in greater detail hereinafter for supporting
the wall panel unit P. Decorative panels or strips 37a and 37b are
secured to the carrier member 32 and floor engaging member 30 to
provide a desired appearance after assembly. Such decorative strips
may be economically discarded when revising the modular layout.
The wall panel unit P of the present invention is partially shown
in FIG. 2 where the lower substantially horizontal frame member 42
is illustrated with an upper substantially horizontal frame member
also illustrated in cross-section in FIG. 1. As best illustrated in
FIG. 4, the wall panel unit P is provided with a pair of opposed
vertical side members 46 for forming a hollow metal rectangular
support frame for the wall panel unit P. Disposed within the lower
member 42, the upper member 44 and the side members 46 are a
plurality of internal laminated support members 48. Each of the
internal support members 48 serves as a support or stud having its
lower end connected to the lower horizontal member 42 and the upper
horizontal member 44 for providing rigidity and structural strength
to the panel unit P. Insulating panel sheets 49 are disposed on
both sides of the frame and held in position by the end flanges or
support projections 46a and 46b. Corresponding support projections
are formed on the upper member 44 and lower member 46. Suitable
fabric, plastic or other covering material (illustrated in phantom)
may be placed over the panel sheets 49 to provide an otherwise
pleasing appearance.
The upstanding side members 46 and lower member 42 and upper member
44 are all provided with the same cross-section for supporting the
panels 49 and providing the releasable interlocking connection with
adjacent units P. The outer surface of each member defines a
peripheral outer surface of the panel unit P. Due to the
cross-section shape of the members, the outer peripheral surface is
provided with a central recess 50 and a pair of slots 52 and 54
formed on either side of the central recess (FIG. 4).
As illustrated in FIG. 2 the recess 52 and 54 receive the upwardly
standing projections 36c and 36d, respectively, of the mounting
member 36 for mounting of wall panel unit P on the base 30. A
similar attaching member 56 has downward projections 56a and 56b
which are received within the slots on the peripheral surface
formed by the upper horizontal member 44. The attaching member 56
extends upwardly through a slot formed in a ceiling C between
ceiling panels 20 and 22 where it is received within an elongated
slot 10e formed in the ceiling support member 10. The attaching
member 56 fits snugly in the opening 10e adjacent to center panels
20 and 22 to provide an overall pleasing appearance and to maintain
the upper portion of the wall panel unit P in vertical alignment.
The slot 10e is provided with sufficient clearance to enable the
member 56 to move further upwardly into the support member 10 when
it is desired to disassemble the wall panel P from one location and
move it to another.
FIG. 3 illustrates in a cross-section view another embodiment of
the elongated ceiling support member 10 having a multi-purpose
function. The ceiling support member 10 is held in position by a
pair of downwardly extending sheets 60 and 62 which are secured to
the overhead structure by suitable means such as a wire (not
illustrated). The members 60 and 62 are in turn attached to the
ceiling support member 10 by screws 60a and 62a in the usual manner
to provide an air ducting passage above the plate 14. The
attachment plate 14 in this embodiment mounts an extruded alongated
plastic base member 64 which is secured thereto by screws 66 in the
usual manner. The elongated member 64 is provided with a pair of
recesses 64a and 64b which receive therein moveable half circle
extensions 68 and 70 which are movable from the position
illustrated in FIG. 3 to that illustrated in phantom in the same
figure. The molded plastic extensions 68 and 70 serve multiple
purposes. For example, they may serve as the conduits for
electrical and/or communication wires as well as ventilation
ducting. The closed members 68 and 70 may serve as an air
conditioning inlet duct and having a portion of the members 68 and
70 expanded to the phantom illustration for discharging the air
conditioning through the slot between the ceiling pads 20 and
22.
The ceiling pads 20 and 22 are provided with the usual clips 18 for
securing with the ceiling support member 10. In addition, clips 72
and 74 are shown at the intersection for maintaining the elongated
members 10 at right angles to each other for maintaining the
modular grid dimensions. The clip 74 is attached to the member 10
by the screw 76 while screw 78 is used for attaching the clip to
the right angle intersecting the ceiling support member in the
usual manner.
Referring now to FIG. 4, a wall panel adapter connector 80 is
illustrated in cross-section. The slots 52 and 54 of the wall panel
P receive mating projection 80a and 80b of the aluminum extruded
panel adapter connector 80 for securing the panel unit P with the
connector 80. Magnetic securing means for the panels 49 are
provided by magnets 49a secured thereto which are attached to a
metal tape secured to the internal support 48 for holding the
panels 49 on the unit P. The adapter connector 80 is provided with
a pair of locking shoulders 80c and 80d formed on the projections
opposite the panel engaging projections 80a and 80b. Releasably
secured to the shoulders 80c and 80d is a solid panel mounting
member 82 which may be released by spreading the member 80 to
enable the mounting member 82 to pass by the locking shoulders 80c
and 80d. The panel mounting member 82 includes a gasket mounting
flange 82a for mounting the gasket 84 which sealingly engages with
a solid panel 86 which is preferably formed of transparent glass. A
snap in panel keeper 88 carries a companion gasket 90 on a flange
88a for engaging the other side of the panel 86. The keeper 88 is
sufficiently deformable within the mounting connector 82 to enable
removal of the keeper 88 and the panel 86 when desired. A suitable
recess 88b captures a lug 82b on the mounting member 82 to retain
the keeper 88 in position.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the vertical right angle wall
connector for the panel units P. The connector, generally
designated 92, comprises an outer member 94 to which inner member
96 is secured by bolting 98 in the usual manner. The member 94 has
panel slot engaging portions 94a and 94b which engage slots of the
panels on the same sides of the central recess 50. The member 96
also has panel slot engaging portions 96a and 96b for engaging the
other slot on the periphery of the panels P. When secured in the
manner illustrated, a self-supporting connection is made for the
wall panel P. Suitable disposable resilient plastic strips 100 and
102 are used to fill the space between the connector member 94 and
the panel units P. A similar resilient plastic strip 104 is used to
hide the bolt head 98 when installed on the connector member 96.
Such strips are illustrated with respect to FIG. 5, but it is
understood that they may be used with the other connections.
FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate side and top views, respectively, of an
embodiment of the present invention for mounting of a thin panel,
usually made of glass in the modular system. As illustrated in FIG.
6, the elongated ceiling support member 10 and attachment member 14
are similar to that illustrated in FIG. 1. Releasably secured in
slots formed by ceiling support member 10 within the opening 10e of
the ceiling support member 10 are a pair of extruded aluminum
inserts 104 and 106 which are mirror images of each other. The
opposed members 104 and 106 have gasket carrying flanges 104a and
106a for mounting panel engaging flexible strips or gaskets 108 and
106 which supportingly engage on opposite sides of the thin panel G
which, as previously mentioned, is usually glass, and which may be
of varying degrees of transparency, translucent or opaque. The side
mounting of the glass panels G is illustrated in FIG. 7 where the
vertical extruded multi-purpose housing 80 has the connecting
projections 80a and 80b extending into the openings of the panel
unit P in a manner previously described. Releasably secured to the
vertical housing 80 is the thin panel keeper frame 112 which is
secured to the housing 80 by lug engagements 112a and 112b. Secured
to the mounting frame 112 is a releasable keeper 114 which is held
in engagement with the frame at 114a and 114b by a resiliently
deformable snap-in arrangement. A gasket 116 is carried by the
fixed frame member 112 while the keeper carries another gasket 118.
When the keeper 114 is snapped into position, the gaskets 116 and
118 grip the glass panel G on opposite sides for securing it in
position. The hollow housing 80 may be used as a runway for
electrical and/or communication wiring with an electrical power
switch being indicated at 120.
FIG. 8 represents the capability of the side connection of FIG. 7
to interadapt with a door jamb. The door D is pivotally mounted to
swing away from the door jamb but when in the closed position
illustrated, engages the pad 122 secured on the door jamb. The
vertical housing 124 has snapped or attached on one side the thin
panel G mounting system illustrated in FIG. 7 being the frame 112
and keeper 114. On the other side is releasably secured the door
stop mounting member 124 which mounts the resilient stop 122. Like
the frame member 114, the member 124 merely snaps into the vertical
housing 124 and may be released by the use of a screwdriver and
sufficiently deforming of the housing member 124 to enable the lugs
to come out of engagement.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the vertical multi-purpose
housing member 80 having the panel securing projections 80a and
80b. Snapped into the opening of the housing member 80 is the door
stop mounting member 124 carrying the door engaging stop 122. A
light switch 120 may also be positioned within the housing member
80.
FIG. 10 illustrates the side mounting of the thin panel G at a
right angle relationship to another panel. The panel is provided
with a recess 126 in which clips 128 and 130 are secured by
suitable means such as wood screws 132 and 134. Attached to the
clip 128 is a panel holder 136 which carries a gasket 138 for
engaging the glass panel G. A holder 138 is also attached to the
clip 130 for carrying the gasket 132 to engage the glass panel G
opposite the gasket 138 and to cooperate to hold the panel G in
position. The holders 136 may be released from the clip 128 by the
use of a screwdriver or the like for promoting the reuse of the
system. The spring clips 128 and 130 have sufficient strength to
maintain the panel holders 136 and 140 in the illustrated
position.
FIG. 11 illustrates a connection between two thin wall glass panes
in accordance with the present invention. The vertical housing 124
is similar to that illustrated in FIG. 8 but instead of a door jamb
support 124, another panel mounting frame 112a and keeper 114a are
illustrated. The support frame 112 and keeper 114 are also similar
to those illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8.
FIG. 12 illustrates the base support for the thin panel G unit. As
is illustrated in FIG. 1, the base 30 and 32 provides an adjustable
means for mounting the wall panel units. Carried on the movable
member 32, however, is the extruded frame 80 with the usual panel
slot engaging members 80a and 80b secured within the support member
32. Secured to the other end of the member 80 in the panel
retaining frame 112 and the snap in keeper 114. When used in this
embodiment, the frame 112 and keeper 114 serve as support for the
panel and to this end a cushioned gasket 144 is provided for
suspending the panel G above the portion of the keeper 114.
FIG. 13 illustrates another embodiment for connecting wall panel
units P. In this embodiment, an insert 150 is snapped into the
central cavity 50 of the panel unit P while a similar insert 152 is
used on the adjacent panel unit P. Each of the inserts 150 and 152
is provided with an outwardly extending flange 150a and 152a having
a plurality of line openings for receiving attachment screws 152 in
the usual manner. Strips of deformable resilient plastic 160 and
162 may then be installed to fill the gap and provide the desired
suitable pleasing appearance.
As with any modular system, the modular system of the present
invention should be planned to the appropriate dimensions using
either the wall panel units P or the thin panel units G as well as
the necessary or desirable doors D and the like. Initially it is
preferable that the elongated ceiling grid members 10 be installed
below the ducting and the suitable electrical connections run.
However, at this point it may be desirable to only partially
install the wiring and wait until the wall panel units and the
vertical attachment members such as the housing 80 are installed.
This of course will depend upon each particular installation. With
the ceiling grid members 10 installed, it may be desirable then to
lay the various base members for the wall panel units. With these
units installed and adjusted, the various panel units may then be
installed in the manner illustrated. This is done by elevating the
panels up into the slot 10e and letting the panels slide down
within the carrier member 32 of the support base. When it is
desired to disassemble the wall panel units it is only necessary to
elevate the panel units sufficiently to remove the connector with
the lower base in order that the panel may be moved out of
position. Such disassembly does not damage the wall panel units P
or G and enables their reuse when the modular system is arranged in
another desirable layout pattern.
The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are
illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the
size, shape and materials as well as in the details of the
illustrated construction may be made without departing from the
spirit of the invention.
* * * * *